An artist rendering of the future look for Penn State’s Beaver Stadium.

PITTSBURGH — The realization of Penn State’s renovations to Beaver Stadium won’t happen for years, but athletic director Sandy Barbour gets to hear alumni reactions to the project’s renderings in the mean time.

They’re split. And Barbour understands the skeptics’ reasoning.

“Some like the current look, the skinless look of the current stadium and I get that,” Barbour said.

The response to the artistic depictions of the project, which also include updating many of the school’s athletic facilities, has been largely positive, she said. People understand the desire to improve. But in speaking at the Penn State Coaches Caravan’s stop in downtown Pittsburgh Wednesday, she was also sure to note that the updates don’t come easily for some.

Barbour on the future of Pitt-Penn State

The BBQ suite in particular yields mixed reactions, Barbour said.

But that same is true for the whole notion of changing a stadium whose last major renovation was made in 2001.

Said Barbour, later discussing charging for parking to the Blue-White game: “Anything we do, there’s going to be support and there’s going to be opposition. That’s just the reality.”